Rezoning frees Speedway to pursue racing, entertainment complex

Published: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at 10:22 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at 10:22 p.m.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Mayor Glenn Ritchey knew something historic was happening at City Hall Wednesday night, and decided to slow down before the vote that is now allowing Daytona International Speedway and International Speedway Corp. to create a sprawling racing and entertainment complex that will straddle International Speedway Boulevard.

He let each city commissioner explain why they supported the rezoning that will free DIS and parent company ISC to overhaul the grandstand area and chase after dreams of putting hotels, restaurants, shops, new housing, movie theaters, nightclubs and maybe even a casino or two around and near the track in coming decades.

"It's the largest project ever proposed and approved for the city of Daytona Beach," Ritchey said Wednesday night. "It's a historical event. It will pay great dividends to the city and Speedway."

Ritchey looked at Speedway officials and told them, "We know you could have moved anywhere. You're needed and appreciated here. Thank you for all you do."

The mayor's comments came after a unanimous vote of support from commissioners and a parade of people stepping up to the microphone to thank Speedway officials and share hopes about what could be coming.

"Our members want to live in a city that's better than it is now," said Tim Stockman, president of the Daytona Beach Young Professionals Group. "We're strongly in favor of the Speedway's proposals. We hope it will act as a catalyst to bring other investment to the city."

Jim Cameron, senior vice president of government relations for the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce, said the massive project will expand the city's tax base and improve visitors' first impression of Daytona Beach.

The new development will happen over the next few decades, and will likely be driven by developer interest and the economy as it recovers, city leaders have said. Improvements to the 53-year-old Speedway facilities and grandstands will probably happen first, and could be completed within two years.

Those improvements could include new metal panel screening on the exterior of the Speedway, five new colorful metal entranceways, escalators and a doubling of seating.

The new development could include up to 2 million square feet of retail space, 1,785 hotel rooms, 1,500 multifamily residential units, movie theaters with 5,000 seats total and 950,000 square feet of industrial uses.

The development could fill in around the track and on land north of International Speedway Boulevard that's west of Bill France Boulevard and also encompasses both sides of Dunn Avenue north and west of Palm Terrace Elementary School.

"We feel very strongly about what this project will do for the future of Daytona Beach and the here and now," said City Commissioner Edith Shelley.

"I just think it's fabulous and I look forward to it happening," said City Commissioner Pam Woods.

City Commissioner Rob Gilliland said DIS and ISC "have been great corporate citizens for many decades."

City Commissioner Patrick Henry said he "can't wait to see what it's going to end up looking like."

<p>DAYTONA BEACH -- Mayor Glenn Ritchey knew something historic was happening at City Hall Wednesday night, and decided to slow down before the vote that is now allowing Daytona International Speedway and International Speedway Corp. to create a sprawling racing and entertainment complex that will straddle International Speedway Boulevard.</p><p> </p><p>He let each city commissioner explain why they supported the rezoning that will free DIS and parent company ISC to overhaul the grandstand area and chase after dreams of putting hotels, restaurants, shops, new housing, movie theaters, nightclubs and maybe even a casino or two around and near the track in coming decades.</p><p> </p><p>"It's the largest project ever proposed and approved for the city of Daytona Beach," Ritchey said Wednesday night. "It's a historical event. It will pay great dividends to the city and Speedway."</p><p> </p><p>Ritchey looked at Speedway officials and told them, "We know you could have moved anywhere. You're needed and appreciated here. Thank you for all you do."</p><p> </p><p>The mayor's comments came after a unanimous vote of support from commissioners and a parade of people stepping up to the microphone to thank Speedway officials and share hopes about what could be coming.</p><p> </p><p>"Our members want to live in a city that's better than it is now," said Tim Stockman, president of the Daytona Beach Young Professionals Group. "We're strongly in favor of the Speedway's proposals. We hope it will act as a catalyst to bring other investment to the city."</p><p> </p><p>Jim Cameron, senior vice president of government relations for the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce, said the massive project will expand the city's tax base and improve visitors' first impression of Daytona Beach.</p><p> </p><p>The new development will happen over the next few decades, and will likely be driven by developer interest and the economy as it recovers, city leaders have said. Improvements to the 53-year-old Speedway facilities and grandstands will probably happen first, and could be completed within two years.</p><p> </p><p>Those improvements could include new metal panel screening on the exterior of the Speedway, five new colorful metal entranceways, escalators and a doubling of seating.</p><p> </p><p>The new development could include up to 2 million square feet of retail space, 1,785 hotel rooms, 1,500 multifamily residential units, movie theaters with 5,000 seats total and 950,000 square feet of industrial uses.</p><p> </p><p>The development could fill in around the track and on land north of International Speedway Boulevard that's west of Bill France Boulevard and also encompasses both sides of Dunn Avenue north and west of Palm Terrace Elementary School.</p><p> </p><p>"We feel very strongly about what this project will do for the future of Daytona Beach and the here and now," said City Commissioner Edith Shelley.</p><p> </p><p>"I just think it's fabulous and I look forward to it happening," said City Commissioner Pam Woods.</p><p> </p><p>City Commissioner Rob Gilliland said DIS and ISC "have been great corporate citizens for many decades." </p><p>City Commissioner Patrick Henry said he "can't wait to see what it's going to end up looking like."</p>